by Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports

Four-time champion Jeff Gordon was docked 25 points, fined $100,000 and placed on probation through the end of the year for intentionally wrecking Clint Bowyer in Sunday's AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, and points leader Brad Keselowski also was spanked for in-race use of social media.

Keselowski was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31 for violating NASCAR rules that cars and drivers will not be permitted to carry onboard computers, automated electronic recording devices, electronically actuated devices, power distribution modules, power conditioners, micro-processors, recording devices, electronic digital memory chips, traction control devices and digital readout gauges. Keselowski used his smartphone to tweet updates during a 15-minute red flag that followed the crash involving Bowyer and Gordon.

It was at least the third time Keselowski, who has 321,000-plus followers, had used Twitter during a race this season. In the season-opening Daytona 500, Keselowski tweeted photos and updates when Juan Pablo Montoya's collision with a jet dryer caused a fiery explosion that stopped the race for two hours. He also tweeted a photo during a red flag for a rain delay at Richmond International Raceway in September.

"Nothing we've seen from Brad violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races," NASCAR said in a statement then. "As such, he won't be penalized. We encourage our drivers to use social media to express themselves as long as they do so without risking their safety or that of others."

But in the weeks following the race, NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said it was communicated to drivers and teams that the rulebook made it clear that drivers couldn't have electronic devices such as cell phones in their cars on the track, and that the existing rule would be enforced.

For the Bowyer incident, team owner Rick Hendrick also was penalized 25 points, and Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Gordon's No. 24 Chevrolet, was placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Brian Pattie, crew chief for Bowyer, was fined $25,000 and put on probation through Dec. 31 after his team was involved in a garage scuffle with Gordon's crew.

"There's no doubt that a unique set of circumstances combined with a championship battle on the line resulted in raw emotions coming into play," NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said in a statement. "We consider the penalties appropriate and those involved understand our decision and we expect them to abide by them."

In a statement, Hendrick Motorsports said it wouldn't appeal the punishment.

"I've always respected Jeff for standing his ground," Hendrick said. "We also respect that NASCAR needs to police the sport and send a message when situations like this occur. It's been a great year, and we're going to put our focus on finishing in a positive way this weekend.

"I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack," Gordon said. "I accept NASCAR's decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead."

Gordon admitted to exacting revenge on lap 311 of the AdvoCare 500 after being hit earlier by Bowyer on the back straightaway. With his No. 24 Chevrolet limping along at a much slower pace in the racing groove, Gordon waited until Bowyer's No. 15 Toyota was below him and then turned down, collecting Joey Logano and Aric Almirola in the crash.

Gordon apologized to Logano and Almirola on Twitter but was unrepentant about the retribution.

"Things just got escalated over the year, and I'd just had it," he said. "Clint has run into me numerous times, wrecked me, and he got into me on the back straightaway and pretty much ruined our day. I've had it, fed up with it, and I got him back."

The move drew an avalanche of criticism from his peers with many taking Gordon to task on Twitter. Phoenix runner-up Denny Hamlin called for the Hendrick Motorsports driver to be parked, and Logano said he'd lost a lot of respect for a driver he'd once idolized.

The retaliation also angered Keselowski, who went on a postrace, profanity-laced tirade in which he said he was ashamed to be a part of the race.

On Monday, though, the Penske Racing driver tweeted that he hadn't lost any respect for Gordon.

"Absolutely not. He's a legend in the sport," Keselowski replied to a follower.